An AI-Enhanced Writing Course: A Glimpse into the Future of Education

Imagine a classroom where AI tools like Copilot, which provides suggestions, generates content and offers human-like conversations with users, were seamlessly integrated into the learning process, enhancing the educational experience of students and faculty alike. While some may view the use of AI in academia with skepticism, fearing it might undermine originality or academic integrity, these concerns often stem from a narrow understanding of how AI can be applied.

For instance, it’s easy to think of AI solely as a generative tool that might replace the work students are expected to do themselves. However, when used correctly, AI can serve as a peer reviewer or a thinking partner, stepping in when human collaboration isn’t available. This shift in perspective is precisely what English Professor Michael Michaud aimed to cultivate in his professional writing workshop at RIC.

To guide these conversations, Michaud chose to incorporate the book “AI and Writing,” by Sidney Dobrin. Reflecting on his inspiration, Michaud explains:

“I went to a professional conference last spring with hundreds of writing professors and AI was everywhere. On the way home, the guy sitting next to me on the plane was reading ‘AI and Writing.’ You know how sometimes in life things keep happening, and you’re like, sooner or later, I’m going to have to pay attention because the world is trying to tell me something?”

Michaud’s attention shifted to incorporating AI studies into his courses. Each chapter of Dobrin’s book contains conceptual scenarios, encouraging discussion about when and how AI is used ethically. Dobrin also encourages readers to use AI to complete various activities, allowing readers to take their learning beyond the pages of his novel.

In the same way, Michaud encourages his students to experiment and discover AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot to enhance their writing skills, utilizing its ability to provide articulated explanations of feedback regarding structure, tone and more. Many of his students have found AI to be a valuable resource in their writing process.

“I was a staunch opponent of GenAI. But since using it for this course, I’ve found it to be an immensely helpful revision and editing partner. I’ll paste in a piece of my work and ask for a list of suggestions for revision, and then I’ll choose the ones I agree with and integrate them myself. It’s basically like having a second person read your work,” says professional writing major Liz Riccio.

Riccio’s experience shows how AI can be a constructive tool for some students, providing them with personalized feedback. However, some educators and students remain concerned about the broader consequences of AI in the classroom, particularly its impact on students’ ability to think critically and work independently. Others are concerned about deeper ethical questions surrounding AI’s impact on the environment, including the significant energy demands of training and operating large AI models. 

These concerns underscore the importance of considering both the benefits and limitations of AI, ensuring its usage aligns with ethical and sustainable practices and policies. To that end, Michaud suggests that we think about AI as an accessibility tool.

“So much of the energy and discussion around AI has been focused on academic dishonesty and cheating. It hasn’t focused enough on AI as a tool of equity and opportunity for students who lack access. We need to spend more time and energy teaching students how to interact with AI effectively and less time trying to police their use of AI.”

And while AI can serve as a pocket-sized tutor, it still lacks the ability to offer the personalized, nuanced guidance that an educator provides. Yet when used in conjunction with effective teaching, AI offers a huge advantage: individualized learning. Students can receive immediate feedback tailored to specific areas of confusion or improvement, outside of school hours.

Ultimately, Michaud’s writing course has shown that with proper guidance and awareness, AI challenges can be navigated. When used correctly, AI has the potential to be a powerful educational tool that supports students’ learning and development.